From Sports to SEI: Mike McCoy's Journey into Crypto and the Future of Blockchain
If you had told a young Mike McCoy that he’d one day be deeply entrenched in the world of blockchain, he probably would have laughed and gone back to playing sports. But here we are, and Mike’s journey from sports broadcasting to leading business development at SEI Foundation is a testament to the twists and turns of life—and the ever-evolving world of crypto.
From Sports to Blockchain
Mike grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs, where his entire world revolved around sports. Blockchain? Crypto? Not even a blip on his radar. He majored in broadcast journalism and film at La Salle University, honing his storytelling skills—something he believes is crucial for success in crypto today. His early career was spent working for powerhouse names like the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN, and ABC 13 in Houston. But the reality of working 80-hour weeks for a low salary pushed him to reconsider his career path.
In 2015, he left TV and returned to Philly. That’s when his friends introduced him to Bitcoin mining. Intrigued, he started learning about blockchain technology by attending every meetup he could find. With a laptop in hand, he wrote down unfamiliar terms and researched them obsessively, eventually diving deep into the technical aspects of crypto.
The Ethereum Revelation & Breaking into Crypto
By 2016, Mike had fully immersed himself in blockchain meetups from Philadelphia to New York. One game-changing moment was meeting Joe Lubin, co-founder of Ethereum. Joe’s vision of Ethereum as a global programmable blockchain sparked something in Mike. He wanted in.
Joining Consensys, he worked on projects like MetaMask and Gitcoin, traveling the world to talk about Ethereum. This exposure showed him the financial inequalities across different economies—where crypto had the potential to provide real solutions. Places like Indonesia and Venezuela, where fiat systems were unreliable, were especially eager for alternatives.
Crypto vs. Traditional Enterprises
After his time at Consensys, Mike moved to Accenture, thinking he could help traditional enterprises adopt blockchain technology. Reality check: enterprises aren’t built for decentralization. Many Web2 companies thrive on centralized control—whether it's data, finances, or users. Why change a system that already makes them millions? He quickly learned that for blockchain to disrupt these industries, it had to be too good to ignore.
From Accenture, he jumped back into crypto, working at BlockDemon and later at Protocol Labs, dealing with staking, risk management, and protocol mechanism design. But in crypto, it’s all about timing and adaptability. That’s how he ended up at SEI.
What Makes SEI Different?
SEI is an emerging powerhouse in the blockchain space, boasting the fastest block finality (390 milliseconds) and high transaction speeds (12,800 TPS). Positioned as the best of both worlds between Ethereum and Solana, SEI offers developers the flexibility of Solidity and Rust, with low fees and an optimized user experience.
The founders, Jay Jo (Robinhood) and Jeff Fang (Goldman Sachs), saw firsthand how centralized finance could fail everyday users. Their mission? Build a faster, fairer, and more decentralized financial system.
The Race for the Killer App
Mike believes the next big thing in crypto will blend AI and blockchain. Agents—AI-driven entities—could open wallets, trade assets, and interact within decentralized economies in ways traditional finance cannot. Think of AI-driven finance, where an automated system manages your assets seamlessly on-chain.
But beyond AI, what makes a “killer app” in crypto? According to Mike, it must:
Provide speculative value – A token that drives engagement.
Offer unique capabilities – Something Web2 cannot replicate.
Build a community – Success in crypto isn’t just about tech; it’s about forming a movement.
Past examples include Friend.Tech on Base and Stepn on Solana. SEI’s focus is now on DeFi, gaming, and consumer apps, with projects like JellyVerse (synthetic stocks), Unchained Music (paying artists in crypto), and upcoming sports betting features.
Airdrops: Free Money or Engagement Strategy?
Mike acknowledges the importance of airdrops in crypto but warns against mindless giveaways. The best airdrops, in his opinion, require users to engage with the ecosystem—staking, bridging assets, or transacting—to earn rewards. Simply handing out tokens leads to users cashing out and moving on.
Crypto’s Attention Economy
At the core of everything in crypto is attention. Meme coins, viral marketing, and hype cycles fuel the industry. In an age where digital engagement determines success, crypto thrives on narratives and community building. “The Internet in crypto has connected me to some of the most interesting people in the world,” Mike says. “Crypto is global-first and built on collaboration.”
What’s Next for SEI?
Looking ahead, SEI is aiming for 250,000 TPS and NASDAQ-level transaction speeds by 2025. While not the most decentralized network, SEI prioritizes reliability and performance—key factors for scaling real-world use cases.
Mike’s journey proves that storytelling and adaptability are just as critical in crypto as technical expertise. Whether you’re coming from sports, finance, or any other background, there’s space in blockchain for anyone willing to learn, experiment, and engage. And as Mike puts it, “Crypto is never boring.”
Want to learn more? Keep an eye on SEI’s developments and join the conversation. Whether you're a trader, builder, or just curious, there’s always something new happening in the blockchain world!
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of CoinFlask. Do your own research. This is not financial advice